Description
This Easy Creamy Ground Beef Pasta is a quick and comforting weeknight meal that combines tender pasta with a rich, creamy tomato sauce and savory ground beef. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy days when you want a hearty, flavorful dinner without complicated steps or hard-to-find ingredients.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3/4 cup heavy/whipping cream
- Salt & pepper to taste
Optional Topping
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese, to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil a salted pot of water and cook the pasta al dente following the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Onion: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until it softens and becomes translucent.
- Brown Ground Beef: Add ground beef and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for approximately 8 minutes, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until fully browned. Remove excess fat if necessary.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Stir in the diced tomatoes with juices, tomato paste, Dijon mustard, and Italian seasoning. Simmer the mixture for 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Incorporate Cream: Pour in the heavy cream and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, allowing it to warm through and the sauce to reduce a bit, creating a creamy texture.
- Season and Combine: Season generously with salt and pepper to taste. Toss the sauce with the cooked pasta until well coated.
- Serve: Plate the pasta and optionally sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
- Using Dijon mustard adds a subtle tang that enhances the flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.
- For a leaner dish, drain excess fat thoroughly after browning the beef.
- Heavy cream can be substituted with half-and-half for a lighter version, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese adds a delightful salty finish but can be skipped for a dairy-free option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
